Recently, the Fifth Meeting of the Scientific Steering Committee on the National One Health Mission was held in New Delhi. The meeting focused on strengthening coordinated surveillance, pandemic preparedness, and integrated disease management across human, animal, and environmental sectors.
About National One Health Mission
The National One Health Mission (NOHM) was launched in 2024 as a collaborative and multidisciplinary initiative aimed at integrating human, animal, and environmental health systems.
The mission is based on the “One Health” approach, which recognizes that the health of humans, animals, plants, and ecosystems is deeply interconnected. Diseases such as COVID-19, Nipah, Avian Influenza, and Zoonotic infections have demonstrated the importance of coordinated surveillance and response mechanisms.
Objectives of the Mission
The mission seeks to:
- Strengthen pandemic preparedness
- Improve integrated disease surveillance
- Enhance early warning systems
- Prevent zoonotic disease outbreaks
- Promote coordinated research and data sharing
- Develop robust public health infrastructure
It aims to unify surveillance systems across:
- Human health
- Animal health
- Environmental monitoring
Nodal Agency
The mission is coordinated by:
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
It functions under the:
- Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India.
Governance Structure
The National One Health Mission follows a two-tier governance framework.
1. Executive Committee
Composition
- Chaired by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MoHFW)
- Principal Scientific Adviser serves as Vice-Chair
- Member (Health), NITI Aayog is a permanent invitee
- Includes Secretaries of stakeholder departments and representatives from two states on a rotational basis
Functions
- Provides overall policy guidance
- Reviews mission implementation
- Coordinates inter-ministerial collaboration
2. Scientific Steering Committee
Composition
- Chaired by the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA)
- Includes Secretaries and Directors General of stakeholder departments and states
Functions
- Provides scientific oversight and direction
- Guides surveillance and research priorities
- Supports evidence-based policymaking
Importance of One Health Approach
Zoonotic Disease Control
More than 60% of infectious diseases affecting humans are zoonotic in nature. Integrated monitoring helps detect outbreaks early.
Pandemic Preparedness
The mission strengthens India’s capability to respond rapidly to emerging public health threats.
Environmental Health
Climate change, deforestation, and biodiversity loss influence disease transmission. The mission integrates ecological factors into health planning.
Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)
The initiative supports coordinated action against AMR emerging from human and veterinary antibiotic misuse.
Food and Livestock Security
Healthy livestock systems contribute to nutrition, rural livelihoods, and food security.
Stakeholder Ministries and Agencies
The mission involves coordination among:
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
- Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
- Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
- Department of Biotechnology
- ICMR
- ICAR
- State governments and research institutions
Challenges
Key challenges include:
- Inter-departmental coordination
- Data sharing mechanisms
- Lack of integrated surveillance infrastructure
- Shortage of trained manpower
- Funding and technological gaps
Conclusion
The National One Health Mission marks a significant step toward building an integrated and resilient public health framework in India. By linking human, animal, and environmental health systems, the mission can improve disease prevention, strengthen pandemic preparedness, and support sustainable health security for the future.